A new Italian-American restaurant, Cousin Louie’s, is set to open Feb. 3 in Dripping Springs at 165 Hargraves Dr. Ste T100 in the Belterra Shopping Center. The latest concept from hospitality group Tc4 & Co., founded by Tony Ciola and Creed Ford IV, features a menu with long-standing family recipes and Italian-American dishes crafted by Chef Louis Ciola III.
Tc4 & Co., the group behind Tony C’s Coal-Fired Pizza, The League Kitchen & Tavern and Mighty Fine Burgers, has appointed Louis to lead the kitchen. A third-generation chef and Culinary Institute of America graduate, Louis has worked in some of Austin’s top restaurants, including Barley Swine, Hestia and Salt & Time. He has served as executive chef at Tc4 & Co. for the past three years.
“Dripping Springs is a close-knit, growing destination with a strong sense of connection and love for food, which aligns with what we aim to deliver at Cousin Louie’s,” said co-founder Tony Ciola in a recent press release. “This community offers the perfect mix of small-town charm with a growing culinary curiosity, making it the ideal place to introduce our family legacy and take on Italian-American cuisine.”
Cousin Louie’s menu highlights
The menu highlights Italian-inspired dishes, including chicken piccata, pork chop Milanese with peppers, snapper Livornese, short rib alla Genovese and house-made desserts. Pasta options feature butternut squash tortelli, agnolotti Bolognese and cavatelli with sausage. Appetizers range from steak tartare and calamari fritti to meatballs marinara, a Ciola family recipe. Lighter fare includes salads such as the Insalata Dolce, made with spinach, raspberries, pancetta, gorgonzola and honey balsamic vinaigrette, along with a classic Caesar and an antipasti salad.
For lunch, sandwiches are available with options like mortadella with burrata, a classic Italian cold cut combination, and a vegetarian choice with broccolini and roasted peppers.
The beverage program, curated by certified sommelier Tony Ciola, features a diverse selection of Italian wines, along with Prosecco cocktails, sangria and locally brewed beers.
Continuing a family tradition
Ford sees Cousin Louie’s as a full-circle moment. “I’ve been immersed in the restaurant business from a young age—from my parents’ early days as some of the first employees at Chili’s to building a successful hospitality group alongside Tony,” Ford said. “Cousin Louie’s embodies everything we have worked for—a culmination of our hard work, blended family traditions, and passion for creating memorable, guest-focused experiences.”
The 4,000-square-foot space underwent a complete renovation led by Kim Lewis Designs, paying homage to classic mid-century Italian-American eateries. Interiors feature V-groove red oak paneling, a checkered floor, marble tabletops and vintage-inspired lighting. Inside, diners will find white linen-covered tables, a rounded bar and booths along the perimeter, including C-shaped green leather banquettes in the corners.
Cousin Louie’s will be open Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. For more information, visit their website or follow @cousinlouiesitalian on Instagram.
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